Compartment box



March 23, 1937. R. v. BURDICK COMPARTMENT BOX Filed July 12, 1934 Patented Mar. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMPARTMENT BOX Ralph v. Burdick, Albany, N. Y. Application July 12, 1934, Serial No. 734,827

1 Claim.

This invention relates generally to a metallic box, primarily intended to contain shoe polish and other polishing preparations, although it is susceptible for other uses, and its general use is contemplated by the claim.

The invention has for its primary object the provision of a compartment box of the class in question, wherein each compartment is tightly covered to preserve its contents, and wherein each compartment can be easily'opened independently of any other compartment as the occasion may require.

In carrying out the invention I employ a plurality of box units designed to be snugly and 3:, tightly fitted one within the other a definite distance to form the various compartments, and a cover for the uppermost compartment, the component units being capable of independent separation from the adjacent unit, so that the various compartments can be selectively opened.

In accordance with the present invention the various units of the box are constructed for compact assemblage in a manner whereby a box of the class in question may be provided with any desired number of compartments, and at the same time provide a comparatively small box structure as a whole.

Another object of the invention resides in providing the upper edges of the various units of the box with outwardly extending curled flanges which not only strengthen the units, but are utilized to facilitate selective opening of the compartments of the box.

In the drawing forming part of this application like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a modified construction.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the lowermost box unit embodied in the modified construction.

compartment box for any specific use.

It is also to be understood that While I have illustrated and hereinafter described a two compartment box, any number of units may be employed to provide a box with any desired number of compartments within the scope of the invention.

Referring, to the drawing in detail, and more particularly Figures 1 and 2, l0 and H indicate a pair of box units, while the cover unit is indicated at l2. The box unit I0 is formed with a flange l3 projecting from its upper edge, the flange being curled inwardly to provide the unit with a smooth rounded edge to protect the fingers of the user from injury. The wall of the unit is also formed with an inwardly extending bead or rib Hi to limit the insertion of the box unit H within the unit In. Obviously, the box unit I l is of a size to be snugly and tightly fitted within the box unit 10, reposing upon the bead or rib l4 and thereby defining a double compartment box of the class in question. The wall of the box unit H is also formed with an outwardly extending flange I5 curled inwardly to provide a smooth rounded edge. Manifestly, when the box unit II is fitted within the box unit ID, the curled flanges l3 and I5 of said units are spaced a predetermined distance, to permit the insertion of a coin l8 or any other suitable instrument therebetween to effect a separation of said units with a minimum of effort, as the occasion may require.

The uppermost unit of the box is tightly closed by a suitable cover unit l2 which may be of any suitable construction, capable of being easily removed. However, I preferably employ a friction cover of a size to be tightly fitted within the adjacent box unit a predetermined distance. By virtue of the cross-sectional contour of the cover unit herein illustrated, the friction wall of the cover effectively engages the wall of the box unit H. The cover unit is also formed with an outwardly extending flange l6 curled inwardly to provide a smooth rounded edge. and this flange I6 is spaced a definite distance from the flange 15 of the adjacent box unit, to permit the insertion of a coin or other suitable instrument therebetween to facilitate removal of the cover. The wall of the cover unit is also formed with a shoulder l'l adapted to engage the upper edge of the box unit H and thereby limit the insertion of the cover within the box unit.

In Figures 3 and 4 I have illustrated a modified form of the invention, wherein the box units are indicated at Ill and H, while the cover unit is indicated at l2. The upper edges of the box unit are formed with outwardly extending curled flange l6 and a shoulder l1 adapted to engagethe adjacent edge of the box unit I l to limit the insertion of the cover unit therein, and space the flange [6 a definite distance from the flange l of the adjacent box unit. This construction permits the insertion of a coin or other'suitable instrument between said flanges to effect a removal of the cover unit when desired.

The lowermost box unit ID has pivoted on the wall thereofa lever I9 of any suitable construction' or design, the upper end of which is utilized to engage the flange I5 of'the box unit I I to eiTec't a: separation of said units as the occasion may require. Obviously the lever l9 operates through a cut away portion 20 of the flange l3 of the lower box unit for the purpose just stated. The normal position of the lever is clearly illustrated in Figure 3, and when the lever is depressed the upper end thereof passes through the cut away portion- 20 of the flange I3, and engages the'flange of the box unit H to effect a; separation of said units. By virtue of the construction illustrated and'described, it is clear that any; one of the component units of the box can be separated fromits adjacent unit, so that access may be had to any compartment independently of the other compartment, and this may be accomplished'by the use of a coin or other suitable. instrument in the manner above stated, or

by the use of a coin and lever l9. If more thantwo; compartments are provided for, by the use of a multiplicity of units, only one lever will be employed to effect a separation of the two lowermost units, the remaining units being separated by the use of a coin or the like.

While it is believed that the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily understood, I desire to have it known that I do not limit myself to what is herein illustrated or described, and that such changes in the construction may be resorted to asfall withinthe scope ofwhat is claimed.

What is claimed is:

A shoe polish box having superimposed compartments, and including a body unit having an annular bead projecting inwardly from the wall thereof a definite distance from its upper edge, and a flange projecting outwardly from said edge, an intermediate removable box-like unit partly and frictionally fitted within the body unit and reposing on said rib to define a lower compartment between the bottoms of saidunits; a

flange projecting outwardly from the upper edge:

of the intermediate unit andspaced from the flange of the body unit whereby said unitsmay be readily separated, and a removable friction cover unit including an annular side wall partly and frictionally fitted in said intermediate unit. and having a convex top wall curved upwardly from the lower edge of its side wall and-lying, in a plane substantiallyflush with the upper edge of said cover unit, the side wall of said cover unit having an outwardly projecting annular shoulder reposing on the upper edge ofthe intermediate unit to limit the insertion of the cover unit and thereby define a compartment between these adjacent units and a flange projectingfrom the upper edge of the cover unit and spaced from the flange-of the intermediate unit, whereby any of said-units can be selectivelyseparated from the adjacent unit to permit access to any particular compartment.

RALPH V. BUR/DICK. 

